Bone adapting tissue packing post system

ABSTRACT

An improved oral implant of the vented blade type comprises a relatively thin vented blade adapted to be seated into a groove in the patient&#39;&#39;s jawbone, a crown-supporting head or support, and a neck integrally connecting the support to the blade. The neck has a flange of enlarged width with a blade-facing surface and a support-facing surface. The blade-facing surface comprises a bone adaptor providing initially automatic limitation on the depth of insertion of the implant into the jawbone without enlargement of the groove and thereafter protection of the underlying surface of the jawbone from outside influences. The support-facing surface defines, in conjunction with the flangefacing surface of the support and the length of the neck therebetween, a tissue packer to receive fibromucosal tissue after insertion of the implant and encourage regeneration thereof about such neck portion length, thereby reducing or eliminating crimping of the regenerating tissue. Thus, the improved oral implant encourages superior adaptation of the jawbone and fibromucosal tissue to the presence of the implant.

United States Patent [191 Linkow Nov. 26, 1974 [75] Inventor: Leonard I.Linkow, Cedarhurst,

[73] Assignee: Oratronics, Incorporated, New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 407,948

[52] US. Cl 32/10 A [51] Int. Cl. A6lc 13/00 [58] Field of Search 32/10A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,449,522 9/1928 White32/10 A 2,721,387 10/1955 Ashuckian 32/10 A 3,672,058 6/1972Nikoghossian 32/10 A Primary ExaminerRobert Peshock [57] ABSTRACT Animproved oral implant of the vented blade type comprises a relativelythin vented blade adapted to be seated into a groove in the patientsjawbone, a crown supporting head or support, and a neck integrallyconnecting the support to the blade.

The neck has a flangeof enlarged width with a blade-facing surface and asupport-facing surface, The blade-facing surface comprises a boneadaptor providing initially automatic limitation on the depth ofinsertion of the implant into the jawbone without enlargement of thegroove and thereafter protection of the underlying surface of thejawbone from outside influences. The support-facing surface defines, inconjunction with the flange-facing surface of the support and the lengthof the neck therebetween, a tissue packer to receive fibromucosal tissueafter insertion of the implant and encourage regeneration thereof aboutsuch neck portion length, thereby reducing or eliminating crimping ofthe regenerating tissue. Thus, the improved oral implant encouragessuperior adaptation of the jawbone and fibromucosal tissue to thepresence of the implant.

' 12 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures BONE ADAPTING TISSUE PACKING POST SYSTEMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Oral implantology provides a means ofpermanently mounting an artificial tooth or teeth in the absence ofsufficient natural tooth structure for constructing a conventional fixedbridge while avoiding the cleaning problems inherent in the use ofremovable bridges. En-

dosteal implants used for this purpose include the various pin type andspiral screw type implants which are inserted directly into the jawboneat the ridge crest; the self-tapping vented implant designed by Dr.Leonard I. Linkow; the blade vent or ring type implant developed by Dr.Leonard I. Linkow and described in his U.S. Pat. No. 3,465,441 (issuedSept. 9, 1969 and entitled Ring Type Implant For Artificial Teeth"), andthe latest type of vented blade endosteal implants having a novel periohead developed by Dr. Leonard I. Linkow and his associates and describedin U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,825 (issued May 1, 1973 and entitled OralImplant).

As described in the last mentioned patent, a vented blade endostealimplant generally comprises a relatively thin vented blade adapted to beseated into a groove in the patients jawbone, a crow-supporting periohead and neck integrally connecting the head to the blade. The periohead is formed in the shape of a truncated pyramid and is provided onthe side adjacent the neck with inclined beveled surfaces adapted tosecurely seat on correspondingly chamfered surfaces at the mouth ofagroove in the ridge crest ofthe patients jawbone, thereby to provide anautomatic limitation on depth of insertion and tremendous increasedlateral stability. The head may also be provided with a pluralityofaccurately spaced scorelines for facilitating measurement ofinterocclusal clearance. The blade may take on a variety of contoursdesigned to conform to various anatomical structures encountered and ispreferably provided with a series of bone-engaging teeth extendingparallel to the blade edge. Various blade contours and tooth profilesare disclosed, including a preferred staggered tooth arrangement.

The insertion technique is rather simple and comprises incising thefibromucosal tissue at the ridge crest along the endendulous spaninvolved, and reflecting that tissue to expose the jawbone. The bone isthen grooved to the selected blade depth and the blade is seated to thedesired depth into the jawbone. The tissue is then sutured. The open'vents in the blade allow for substantial regeneration of bonetherethrough, thereby providing greatly increased retention afterhealing and bone growth. As healing takes place after about a few weeks,final impressions are taken to complete the final bridge.

There remains yet room for improvement in the endosteal implant of thetype described above. While the inclined beveled surfaces of the periohead limit the depth of insertion of the implant into the jawbone, theyalso tend to wedge" into the jawbone groove and may thus undesirablyenlarge the groove. There is also the tendency of plaque, calculos andother irritating materials to enter any slight space or gap between theinclined beveled surfaces of the perio head and the adjacentcorrespondingly chamfered surfaces ofthe groove in the jawbone. Anotherdifficulty encountered is that the relatively massive perio head restsdirectly on the jawbone, and the regenerating fibromucosal tissue at theridge crest tends to crimp or bunch about the diameter of the periohead, in some cases leaving gaps between the regenerated tissue and aportion of the perio head in the same plane. As a result, plaque,calculos and other irritating matters are able to enter be tween theerimped fibromucosal tissue and the perio head at one level and thenbetween the dished down chamfered surfaces of the jawbone groove and theinclined beveled surfaces of the perio head at another level.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anendosteal implant having a bone adaptor which merely abuts atop thejawbone and protects the I underlying jawbone surface from outsideinfluences.

It is another object to provide such an implant which will notundesirably enlarge the jawbone groove during the insertion process.

It is also an object to provide such an implant which has a tissuepacker to provide room for and encourage the regenerating fibromucosaltissue to tenaciously bind about the neck portion of the implant withoutcrimping.

It is a further object to provide such an implant of an improved designwhich encourages superior adaptation of bone and tissue thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE It has now been found that the above andrelated objects of the present invention are provided in an oral implantfor permanently implanting an artificial toothsupporting structure inthe jawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of a patients mouth,comprising a relatively thin blade portion adapted to be seated directlyinto the jawbone to a suitable depth, a comparatively massive supportportion substantially wider than the blade portion adapted to extendoutwardly of the jawbone for mounting an artificial tooth structure, anda neck portion operatively connecting the blade portion to the supportportion. The neck portion has a flange of enlarged width providing ablade-facing surface and a support-facing surface. The blade-facingsurface defines a bone adaptor providing initially automatic limitationon the depth of insertion of the implant into the jawbone by abutmentagainst the jawbone and thereafter protection of the underlying surfaceof the jawbone from outside influences. The support-facing surfacedefines, in conjunction with the flange-facing surface of the supportportion and the length of the neck portion therebetween, a tissue packerto receive fibromucosal tissue after insertion of the implant, therebyto encourage regeneration of such time about such neck portion length.

The blade-facing surface of the flange may be substantially planar orpreferably slightly concave buccolingually to conform to the surface ofthe jawbone. The support facing surface may be substantially planar orpreferably slightly concave to further encourage regeneration of thefibromucosal tissue about the neck portion length. The support-facingsurface of the flange may be imperforated or preferably fenestrated withvents extending from the support-facing surface into or through theflange to encourage adaptation of regenerating tissue to the implant.

Preferably the support portion is substantially wider than the neckportion, and the flange is substantially wider. than the blade portion,the flange typically being BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. '1 is afront elevation view of an embodiment of the improved endosteal implantaccording to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side elevation view ofthe implant of FIG. 1';

FIGS. 3-9 are front elevation views of additional embodiments of theimproved endosteal implant according to the present invention;

FIG. is a fragmentary elevation view of an embodiment of the improvedendosteal implant according to the present invention, pertinent areas ofits ultimate oral environment being indicated in section;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the implant of FIG. 10 along the line11-11; and

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the implant of FIG. 10 along line 11-11 inwhich the flange is shown as fenestrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to thedrawing, wherein like referenced numerals designate identical orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in particular toFIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, therein illustrated is a representativeembodiment of an improved endosteal implant. The implant generallydesignated by the numeral 10 comprises a unitary metallic structureincluding an implant or blade portion generally designated by thenumeral 12, a crown-supporting head or support portion generallydesignated by the numeral 14, and a linking or neck portion generallydesignated by the numeral 16 integral with and the connecting bladeportion 12 to support portion 14. Neck portion 16 comprises anupstanding neck formed integral with blade portion 12 and supportportion 14, and operatively connecting the upper surface of the bladeportion 12 to the lower surface of the support portion 14. The implant10 is preferably formed of pure titanium.

Each implant 10 includes one or more support portions 14, each supportportion 14 being a relatively massive, multi-faceted body substantiallywider than the blade portion 12 and generally tapered in the directionaway from the neck portion 16.More particularly, the undersurface of thesupport portion 14 includes a plurality of slightly inclined beveledshoulder surfaces 26 extending upwardly and outwardly from neck portion16. Typically, four such inclined shoulder surfaces 26 extend upwardlyfrom the front, rear and side surfaces ofthe neck portion 16, thesurfaces 26 being generally in the shape of a parallelogram connected attheir corners by triangular surfaces (not shown), thereby to define apolygonal base line 30 from which the supporting portion extendsgenerally upwardly. The supporting portion comprises a pluralityofinwardly inclined trapezoidal side surfaces 32 intersecting theshoulder surfaces 26 at base line 30 and extending upwardly generally inthe form ofa pyramid. The pyramid is truncated by a generally horizontaltop surface 33.

The blade portion 12 is in the form ofa relatively thin blade taperingto a relatively narrow edge 40 adapted to be seated into the patientsjawbone. The blade portion 12 further includes a series of enclosedopenings or vents 42 in its side walls 44 designed to facilitate boneregeneration therethrough and hence enhanced retention of the implant 10by the jawbone. The blade portion 12 is provided on both side surfaces44 with a series of bone-engaging teeth 46 extending in generallyequally spaced, generally parallel arrangement along the entire lengthof the blade portion 12 and following the contour thereof. While theteeth 46 are shown as staggered on opposite sides of surfaces 44, theymay also be formed generally in registration on opposite side surfaces44 in the form of an inverted christmas tree, the exact incline or shapeof the teeth 46 being varied to suit the individual circumstances.

The neck portion 16 is of substantially constant diameter except for aflange S0 of enlarged width disposedroughly midway along the lengththereof and defining a blade-facing surface 52 and a support-facingsurface 54. The blade-facing surface 52 comprises a bone adaptor havingtwo functions. On one hand, during insertion it provides an automaticlimitation on the depth of insertion of the implant into the jawbone byabutment against the jawbone, and on the other hand, after insertion itprovides protection of the underlying surface of the jawbone fromoutside influences (such as plaque, calculos and other irritatingsubstances) by overlapping any gaps in the engaging surface of the neckportion therebelow and the jawbone at that level.

- The blade-facing surface 52 of the flange 50 may be relatively planar,but is preferably slightly concave bucco-lingually (in a cheek-to-tongueor end view as shown in FIG. 2) to conform to the usually convexbucco-lingual configuration of the crest surface of the jawbone againstwhich it will abut after insertion. The flange 50 may be circular orrectangular in shape so long as the sides extend bucco-linguallysufficiently beyond the sides ofthe blade portion 12 to serve as aninsertion stop and protective cover. The ends of the flange 50 shouldnot extend beyond the ends of the blade portion 12 and will generallyextend parallel to the blade axis only about as far as the supportportion 14.

A tissue packing region of the implant generally designated by thenumeral 55 is defined by the upper surface 54 of the flange 50, theunderbody or inclined beveled shoulders 26 of the support portion 14 andthe length of the neck'portion l6 therebetween. In the process oftissueregeneration, the fibromucosal gum tissue tends to enter between thesupport-facing surface 54 and the'support shoulders 26 and is thusencouraged to tenaciously bind itself about length of the neck portion16 therebetween as further regeneration occurs. It has been found thatthe regenerating fibromucosal tissue tends to pack itself securelywithin the tissue-packer 55 and about the length of the neck portion 16therewithin with little, if any crimping" or bunching of the tissue, thewidth of such length of the neck portion 16 being substantially lessthan the width of the massive support portion 14. The support-facingsurface 54 may be substantially planar (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) orslightly concave (as shown in FIG. 10) to further encourage theregenerating fibromucosal tissue to wrap or bind around the length ofthe neck portion 16 within the tissue packer 55.

The flange 50 may be either imperforate (as shown in FIGS. l-2 and10-11) or fenestrated (as shown in FIG. 12). In the latter instance, aplurality of apertures or vents 56 extend generally perpendicularly fromthe blade-facing surface 54 through either part or all of the thicknessof the flange 50. In either case the vents 56 further encourage tissueadaptation to the implant by permitting regenerating tissue to growtherethrough. A further advantage occurs when the vents 56 extendthroughout the thickness of the flange 50; in this case, screws orstaples (not shown) may be inserted through the vents 56 and into thejawbone to secure or tighten implants 10 which have become loose for onereason or another.

The environment in which the implant 10 will reside is indicated inphantom line in FIG. 10 and is best understood from a consideration ofthe following technique for insertion of the implant 10 into thepatients jawbone.

Referring now to FIG. 10, after suitable X-rays have been taken, anincision is made'by a sharp scalpel along fibromucosal tissue 60 in thearea where the implant 10 will be inserted. The incision is made alongthe alveolar crest so that the tissue 60 may be retracted to expose[sufficient jawbone 62 without tearing it. The soft tissue 60 is thenretracted, preferably with a periosteal elevator to expose the bone 62.A narrow groove is then cut into the cortical layer of the bone at thecrest of the ridge 64 to facilitate initial placement of the implant'blade edge 40 into the jawbone 62 and reduce the likelihood of the bladeedge 40 skidding over the jawbone surface as it is being tapped home.The properly chosen implant 10 is then placed with its relatively narrowblade edge 40 inserted in the groove, and a suitable instrument(preferably a plastic headed mallet) is applied to the upper surface ofthe support portion 14 and used to tap the blade portion 12 into thealveolar bone 62 to the. desired depth.

Insertion to the proper final depth is insured by the abutment of theblade-facing surface 52 of the flange 50 against the surface of theridge crest, such abutment limiting further insertion. In addition toinsuring accurate depth of insertion, this feature considerably enhancesthe initial retention, lateral stability and general feel of the implant10 immediately after insertion. Moreover. proper seating ofthe slightlyconcave bladefacing surface 52 of flange 50 on the ridge crest insuresthat the implant 10 has been properly inserted.

The incised tissue 60 is then closed, preferably by the use ofinterrupted sutures along the base line 30 of the support portions 14 ofthe implant. The sutures may be removed after approximately 5-7 days,and the denture is then cemented directly into position over theexposed, upwardly extending support portions 14. In the course of time,jawbone regeneration occurs through vents 42 and tissue regenerationoccurs in the area of the tissue packer and through any vents 56. Theinclined beveled shoulder surfaces 26 of the underside of the supportportion 14 facilitate flossing and cleaning at the gum line.

A representative sample of blade shapes and contours which may beprovided in accordance with the 1 present invention and whichadvantageously utilize the flange feature is illustrated in FIGS. 3-9.The various areas of the mouth and the various bone conditions to whichthe illustrated implants are best suited will be immediately apparent todental surgeons and dentists skilled in the art, and accordingly theywill not be described in detail herein. Suffice it to say that the shapeand size of the neck portion, blade portion and vent openings in all ofthe illustrated embodiments have been carefully designed fromphotoelasticity experiments and clinical experience to provide themaximum retention, bone regeneration and stability to various boneconditions and locations with a minimum of trauma to the bone and/ortissue upon insertion. In particular it will be noted that the vents 42of blade portion 12 have rounded and uninterrupted edges to provide amore equal distribution of stress along the jawbone.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the improved endostealimplant provides a bone adaptor and a tissue packer. The bone adaptorautomatically limits the depth of insertion of the implant withoutcausing enlargement of the opening in the jawbone and protects theengaging surfaces of the jawbone and the neck portion from outsideinfluences. The tissue packer permits and encourages regeneration ofsoft tissue about the neck portion and substantially reduces oreliminates crimping, thereby also diminishing the possibility of outsideinfluences approaching the jawbone opening. As a result, the improvedoral implant provides enhanced tissue and bone adaptation to the implantand reduces the liklihood of irritation resulting from outsideinfluences entering the jawbone opening.

Now that a limited number of preferred embodi' ments of the presentinvention have been herein specif' ically shown and described, othermodifications and variations will become readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art. For example, the length of the neck portion abovethe flange may be of lesser diameter than the length of the neck portionbelow the flange to facilitate tissue regeneration thereabout, providedonly that the structural strength of the implant is not unduly weakenedthereby. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the spirit and scopeof the present invention is to be limited not by the foregoingdisclosure, but only by the appended claims.

l claim:

1. In an oral implant for permanently implanting an artificial toothsupporting structure in a jawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of apatients mouth, comprising A. a relatively thin blade portion adapted tobe seated directly into the jawbone to a suitable depth,

B. a comparatively massive supportportion substantially wider than saidblade portion adapted to extend outwardly of the jawbone for mounting anartificial tooth structure, and t C. a neck portion operativelyconnecting said blade portion with said support portion;

The improvement wherein said neck portion has an enlarged substantiallyhorizontally-extending peripheral flange with a blade-facing surface anda support-facing surface spaced from said support a position; saidblade-facing defining a bone-adaptor providing initially automaticlimitation on the depth of insertion of said implant by abutment againstthe jawbone and thereafter protection of the-underlying surface of thejawbone from outside influences, and said support-facing surfacedefining in conjunction with the flange-facing surface of said supportportion and the length of said neck portion therebetween a tissue-packerto receive fibromucosal tissue after insertion of said implant, wherebysaid tissue-packer encourages regeneration of fibromucosal tissue aboutsaid neck portion length.

2. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said flangefacing surface of saidsupport portion has upwardly and outwardly beveled shoulders.

3. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said bladefacing surface of saidflange is substantially planar.

4. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said bladefacing surface of saidflange is slightly concave buccolingually to conform to the surface ofthe jawbone.

5. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said supportfacing surface ofsaid flange is substantially planar.

6. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said support portion issubstantially wider than said neck portion length, and wherein saidflange is substantially wider than said blade portion and about as longas said support portion.

7. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said bladefacing surface isslightly concave buccolingually to conform to the surface of thejawbone.

8. In an oral implant for permanently implanting an artificial toothsupporting structure in a jawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of apatients mouth, comprising A. a relatively thin blade portion adapted tobe seated directly into thejawbone to a suitable depth,

B. a comparatively massive support portion substantially wider than saidblade portion adapted to extend outwardly of the jawbone for mounting anartificial tooth structure, and

C. a neck portion operatively connecting said blade portion with saidsupport portion;

The improvement wherein said neck portion has an enlarged flange with ablade-facing surface and a support-facing surface; said blade-facingsurface defining a bone-adaptor providing initially automatic limitationon the depth of insertion of said implant by abutment against thejawbone and thereafter protection of the underlying surface of thejawbone from outside influences, and said support-facing surface beingslightly concave and defining in conjunction with the flange-facingsurface of said support portion and the length of said neck portiontherebetween a tissue-packer to receive fibromucosal tissue afterinsertion of said implant, whereby said tissue-packer encouragesregeneration of fibromucosal tissue about said neck portion length. 9.The oral implant of claim 8 wherein said supportfacing surface isfenestrated.

' 10. In an oral implant for permanently implanting an artificial toothsupporting structure in a jawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of apatients mouth. comprising A. a relatively thin blade portion adapted tobe seated directly into the jawbone to a suitable depth,

B. a comparatively massive support portion substantially wider than saidblade portion adapted to extend outwardly of the jawbone for mounting anartificial tooth structure, and

C. a neck portion operatively connecting said blade portion with saidsupport portion;

The improvement wherein said neck portion has an enlarged flange with ablade-facing surface and a support-facing surface; said blade-facingsurface defining a bone-adaptor providing initially automatic limitationon the depth of insertion of said implant by abutment against thejawbone and thereafter protection of the underlying surface of thejawbone from outside influences, and said support-facing surface beingfenestrated and defining in conjunction with the flange-facing surfaceof said support portion and the length of said neck portion therebetweena tissue-packer to receive fibromucosal tissue after insertion of saidimplant. whereby said tissue-packer encourages regeneration offibromucosal tissue about said neck portion length.

11. In an oral implant for permanently implanting an artificial toothsupporting structure in a jawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of apatients mouth, comprising A. a relatively thin blade portion adapted tobe seated directly into the jawbone to a suitable depth,

B. a comparatively massive support portion substantially wider than saidblade portion adapted to extend outwardly of the jawbone for mounting anartificial tooth structure, and

C. a neck portion operatively connecting said blade portion with saidsupport portion;

The improvement wherein said neck portion has an enlarged flange with ablade-facing surface, a sup port-facing surface and a plurality ofapertures extending therethrough; said blade-facing surface defining abone-adaptor providing initially automatic limitation on the depth ofinsertion of said implant by abutment against the jawbone and thereafterprotection of the underlying surface of the jawbone from outsideinfluences, and said supportfacing surface defining in conjunction withthe flangefacing surface of said support portion and the length of saidneck portion therebetween a tissuepacker to receive fibromucosal tissueafter insertion of said implant, whereby said tissue-packer encouragesregeneration of fibromucosal tissue about said neck portion length.

12. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said supportfacing surface isslightly concave.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QETKHCATE 6F E:ECTION patent 3,849,888 DatedNovember 26, 1974 lnventor(s) EONARD I. LINKUW It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 6, line 55, position; said blade-=1:'ac:i.ng should read portion;said blade-facing surface Col, 7, line 16, claim 1. should read ClaimCol., 8, line 53, "claim 1 should read Claim ll Signed and Qealed thisfif D3) 0% August1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN AIHSII'HX ffifl ('ummissinm'r nj'lau'nrsand Trademarks

1. In an oral implant for permanently implanting an artificial toothsupporting structure in a jawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of apatient''s mouth, comprising A. a relatively thin blade portion adaptedto be seated directly into the jawbone to a suitable depth, B. acomparatively massive support portion substantially wider than saidblade portion adapted to extend outwardly of the jawbone for mounting anartificial tooth structure, and C. a neck portion operatively connectingsaid blade portion with said support portion; The improvement whereinsaid neck portion has an enlarged substantially horizontally-extendingperipheral flange with a blade-facing surface and a support-facingsurface spaced from said support portion; said blade-facing surfacedefining a bone-adaptor providing initially automatic limitation on thedepth of insertion of said implant by abutment against the jawbone andthereafter protection of the underlying surface of the jawbone fromoutside influences, and said support-facing surface defining inconjunction with the flange-facing surface of said support portion andthe length of said neck portion therebetween a tissue-packer to receivefibromucosal tissue after insertion of said implant, whereby saidtissue-packer encourages regeneration of fibromucosal tissue about saidneck portion length.
 2. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein saidflange-facing surface of said support portion has upwardly and outwardlybeveled shoulders.
 3. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein saidblade-facing surface of said flange is substantially planar.
 4. The oralimplant of claim 1 wherein said blade-facing surface of said flange isslightly concave bucco-lingually to conform to the surface of thejawbone.
 5. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein said support-facingsurface of said flange is substantially planar.
 6. The oral implant ofclaim 1 wherein said support portion is substantially wider than saidneck portion length, and wherein said flange is substantially wider thansaid blade portion and about as long as said support portion.
 7. Theoral implant of claim 1 wherein said blade-facing surface is slightlyconcave buccolingually to conform to the surface of the jawbone.
 8. Inan oral implant for permanently implanting an artificial toothsupporting structure in a jawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of apatient''s mouth, comprising A. a relatively thin blade portion adaptedto be seated directly into the jawbone to a suitable depth, B. acomparatively massive support portion substantially wider than saidblade portion adapted to extend outwardly of the jawbone for mounting anartificial tooth structure, and C. a neck portion operatively connectingsaid blade portion with said support portion; The improvement whereinsaid neck portion has an enlarged flange with a blade-facing surface anda support-facing surface; said blade-facing surface defining abone-adaptor providing initially automatic limitation on the depth ofinsertion of said implant by abutment against the jawbone and thereafterprotection of the underlying surface of the jawbone from outsideinfluences, and said support-facing surface being slightly concave anddefining in conjunction with the flange-facing surface of said supportportion and the length of said neck portion therebetween a tissue-packerto receive fibromucosal tissue after insertion of said implant, wherebysaid tissue-packer encourages regeneration of fibromucosal tissue aboutsaid neck portion length.
 9. The oral implant of claim 8 wherein saidsuppOrt-facing surface is fenestrated.
 10. In an oral implant forpermanently implanting an artificial tooth supporting structure in ajawbone adjacent the fibromucosal tissue of a patient''s mouth,comprising A. a relatively thin blade portion adapted to be seateddirectly into the jawbone to a suitable depth, B. a comparativelymassive support portion substantially wider than said blade portionadapted to extend outwardly of the jawbone for mounting an artificialtooth structure, and C. a neck portion operatively connecting said bladeportion with said support portion; The improvement wherein said neckportion has an enlarged flange with a blade-facing surface and asupport-facing surface; said blade-facing surface defining abone-adaptor providing initially automatic limitation on the depth ofinsertion of said implant by abutment against the jawbone and thereafterprotection of the underlying surface of the jawbone from outsideinfluences, and said support-facing surface being fenestrated anddefining in conjunction with the flange-facing surface of said supportportion and the length of said neck portion therebetween a tissue-packerto receive fibromucosal tissue after insertion of said implant, wherebysaid tissue-packer encourages regeneration of fibromucosal tissue aboutsaid neck portion length.
 11. In an oral implant for permanentlyimplanting an artificial tooth supporting structure in a jawboneadjacent the fibromucosal tissue of a patient''s mouth, comprising A. arelatively thin blade portion adapted to be seated directly into thejawbone to a suitable depth, B. a comparatively massive support portionsubstantially wider than said blade portion adapted to extend outwardlyof the jawbone for mounting an artificial tooth structure, and C. a neckportion operatively connecting said blade portion with said supportportion; The improvement wherein said neck portion has an enlargedflange with a blade-facing surface, a support-facing surface and aplurality of apertures extending therethrough; said blade-facing surfacedefining a bone-adaptor providing initially automatic limitation on thedepth of insertion of said implant by abutment against the jawbone andthereafter protection of the underlying surface of the jawbone fromoutside influences, and said support-facing surface defining inconjunction with the flange-facing surface of said support portion andthe length of said neck portion therebetween a tissue-packer to receivefibromucosal tissue after insertion of said implant, whereby saidtissue-packer encourages regeneration of fibromucosal tissue about saidneck portion length.
 12. The oral implant of claim 1 wherein saidsupport-facing surface is slightly concave.